SIE’s Two CEOs Talk PS5 Pro, Live-Action Adaptations, and Layoffs

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I can say with confidence that the recent interview between Hermen Hulst and Hideaki Nishino has left me both excited and apprehensive. On one hand, it’s heartening to see these two CEOs working in harmony to ensure the future success of PlayStation. The fact that they’ve been planning the PS5 Pro even before the launch of the current console is a testament to their foresight and commitment to delivering the best gaming experience possible.

For the first time since their appointments, Hermen Hulst and Hideaki Nishino, the CEOs of Sony Interactive Entertainment, recently appeared together in a joint interview. While this isn’t a typical management structure, Sony’s leadership thinks it’s a formula for achieving success.

As a dedicated PlayStation enthusiast, I’m always eager to know more about the inner workings of our beloved console. Recently, I’ve been following the dynamic duo – Jim Ryan (Hulst) who focuses on the studio side, and Herman Hulst (Nishino) who manages the platform operations. In a fascinating conversation with Variety, these two luminaries shared insights about everything PlayStation.

“It’s Our Duty to Run a Sustainable Business”

During their interview with Variety, the two CEOs initially discussed the upcoming PS5 Pro – an evolution of the PlayStation 5 that’s currently under development at a somewhat uncertain time for Sony. Over the past few months, the company has been grappling with layoffs, shuttered studios, and criticism over the pricing of this highly anticipated console.

Despite that, Hideaki Nishino remains optimistic:

We started working on PS5 Pro even before PS5 launches — it was another five-year project for us.
It appears that many enthusiastic gaming users are eagerly anticipating the PS5 Pro, and I’m confident that novice gamers will also be drawn to it. If you’re considering a PlayStation, that’s the way to go. At this point in the generation, we’ve been designing with a step ahead in mind, so everything is geared towards that.

During the discussion, Hermen Hulst steered the conversation towards the exciting projects in PlayStation’s lineup, which encompasses new games like Ghost of Yotei and live-action adaptations. He disclosed that The Last of Us (on HBO) has been so extraordinarily successful that it is now being referred to as a ‘game changer’.

We learned a lot from that.
As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news! Over at PlayStation Productions, there are currently ten projects underway, and I can hardly contain my excitement about them. Among these are “The Last of Us” and the legendary “Twisted Metal,” along with a few other productions that have me buzzing with anticipation!
We’re talking about adaptations, but in adaptations, that’s taking the game and then see what else you can do with it. We’re actually looking to build from the ground up — as we tried to do originally with “Horizon,” in creating this world and creating this storyline — and how can you tell stories in this world on various mediums?

During his conversation with Variety, Hulst addressed a sensitive topic – the recent job cuts affecting PlayStation’s subsidiaries, which included the closure of Concord and Firewalk Studios.

As CEO, it’s essential for us to carefully manage our resource allocation to maintain a sustainable business model, which is deeply important to us due to our personal connections with the team members and the value of fostering a positive work environment. However, in the past, we have had to implement reductions in workforce.
As a gamer, I’ve noticed that PlayStation Studios has truly expanded over the years. It wasn’t just a small team when they started, but it has grown significantly – organically and through strategic acquisitions. Our teams have been growing too, and now the workforce is far larger than it was five years ago. It’s impressive to see how much the studio has grown!

If you want the full meat on the bones, you can visit Variety for the complete interview.

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